more too and so the Lord shall bee iustified by the Reprobates themselues The third booke is the book of life that is of mans Election Reuel 20. 12. 15. mentioned also in Psal. 69. 92. Dan. 12. 1. Philip. 4. 3. Reu. 3. 5. and 13. 8. and 17. 8. and 21. 27. and 22. 19. Ex. 32. 32. 34. Isa. 34. 16. Now according to these three bookes the world shall bee iudged whereto may bee added the fourth booke which is the booke of Gods workes which for 2000. yeares instructed the world and by which the holy Patriarkes profited exceedingly witnesse the Patriarkes all from Adam to Moses and also the booke of Iob and that this shall be iudge may be gathered out of Rom. 1. 19. to 26. Psal. 19. 1. c. and 8. 2. c. and these bookes may properly be said to be so many witnesses for or against them that day The Vses then wee are to make of these bookes are these 1. That euery man bee watchfull to study the whole booke of Gods worde seeing we must be iudged by the same that so they may know what to doe and what to leaue vndone wee see theeues though they regard no Lawes nor equity yet vvhen they be attached and see they must appeare at the Assises they vvill be very carefull to peruse vvhat statutes make for them or against them that so they may in that day be able to answer according to Law and by Law plead defend and free themselues and how much more should vve doe so seeing the danger is greater and we know wee shall bee iudged by this booke of bookes especially seeing we are before-hand fore-told and commanded so to doe as Deut. 6. 6. c. Iosh. 1. 7. 8. 2. Then in that wee shall be iudged by the booke of Conscience the great Chancery booke we must be carefull so to liue according to the prescript rule of Gods word that vvee sinne not against our consciences nor knowledge in the word of God for there is no burthen to the burthen of a wounded conscience euer forecasting fearefull things iudgeing and condemning himselfe as Iudas who seeing the greatnesse of his sinne and not of Gods mercy accused and hanged himselfe not able to abide the horror thereof and therfore if our conscience controule vs let vs in prayer reperitance faith new obedience speedily be reformed and quiet it else let vs assure our selues that howsoeuer worldlings say that Conscience is hanged it will reuiue and hang vs for it is resembled to a bawling Mastiffe which thogh at his Masters doore it fall asleepe yet if any awake him he will take him by the throat and so will a wounded Conscience awake when the Lord by any iudgement toucheth it and cause vs destroy our selues for the Conscience is choyce and tender like the Apple of a mans eye the least moate will chafe it and disquiet the whole man and therefore must we charily keepe it as the apple of our eye which is done by eschewing all euill and doing all good wee can to all men 3. In that vve shall be iudged by the booke of life that is if God hath before all vvorlds elected vs to saluation then shall we vndoubtedly be saued else not Now for the making our Electiō sure to our selues or rather for the assuring of our selues that we are elected vve must haue an earnest care to leade godly liues stored with all heauenly graces as Peter exhorteth saying Ioyne vertue with your faith and with vertue knowledge and with knowledge temperance and with temperance patience and with patience godlines c. Make your Calling and Election sure for if you doe these things you shall neuer fall 2. Pet. 1. 3. to 12. for vvee must know that as God called vs to the end that is to bee saued of his owne vndeserued mercy so hee calleth vs to the meanes whereby vvee may come to this end vvhich is by leading a godly life as Rom. 8. 29. 30. Eph. 1. 3. 4. and therefore must vve labour by hearing reading and practising Gods word to serue Gods election and make it sure to our selues that vvee are elected and shall questionlesse be saued but if we contemn the word resist the spirit and regard not to leade a godly life but follow the torrent of the wicked it is plaine we vvere neuer elected and neuer shall be saued but be put out of the booke of life as the Lord said to Moses whosoeuer hath sinned against mee I will put him out of my booke Exod. 32. 33. that is it shall bee euident his name vvas neuer written there and the like speech is in 1. Sam. 2. 30. vvherefore the Lord God of Israell said to Eli I said that thy house and the house of thy Father should walke before me for euer But now the Lord saith it shall not be so for them that honour me I will honor and they that despise me shall be despised So that we need not climbe vp to heauen to see if our names bee written in the booke of life but descend into our selues and examine our liues if wee lead godly liues we are surely elected for else vve could neuer haue the grace to be godly and contrarily The fourth Vse is to contemplate and meditate in a deuout and thankefull heart vpon all the vvorkes of God and abuse them not but conuert them all to the glory of God 1. Cor. 10. 31. and to the good of his Church The next Vse serues for terror to the wicked vvho vvhen these bookes be open and first the booke of life be shut against them that they haue no hope nor helpe to be saued and next vvhen the bookes of Gods vvord be opened and it testifie what a great despiser and persecutor thereof and of all the Articles of the Couenant of Grace therein registred thou hast beene as also of the Preachers and Professors thereof reuiling all good men and blaspheming thy Iudge extinguishing and spiting the very spirit of grace and heereunto thy Conscience as a thousand witnesses will giue testimony and cry vnto God for iudgement and the booke of Gods works yea all Gods creatures but specially the poore widdow fatherlesse and stranger cry against thee for spilling innocent bloud for detaining the hirelings wages for oppressing the impotent and for thy Sodomitry and all creatures rise in iudgment against thee what wilt thou doe for shame and sorrow yea what paine and confusion of face will it be to thee when by the wide and broad opening of these bookes all thy sinnes of omission and commission all thy mischiefes and treacheries thy blasphemies scornings scoffings reuilings buffetings persecutings and all thy indignities done formerly against the Iudge himselfe his Church his Ministers and people with the Sacriledge Oppressions Thefts and Robberies c. shall be all discouered and laid open in the face of all the world yea besides these the villenies which hitherto thou
the faithfull or deceifulness of sinne the warnings of the zealous Ministers or the damnable wiles of Sathan But now what remedy it is too late to be wise there was a time vvhen they might escape hell but now shall be no time for euermore Yet to vs that as yet liue there is remedy enough if vve will accept of the acceptable time these frights and feares shall not touch vs. 1. If first we will euery man betimes watch and wake to God and seriously with mature sad deliberation consider in what a dolefull case mans sinfull soule shall that day stand and what paines endlesse pittilesse and remedilesse are ordained for all prouokers of Gods wrath and vengeance and therefore now let vs preuent his iudgements embrace his mercies be thankefull for this timely warnings and not delay amendment of life 2. Consider how hartily thou wouldest wish then that in this world thou hadst reformed and framed the whole course of thy life according to Gods reuealed will in all points and doe so now speedily and no longer heape to thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath but yeeld vnto the Lord the honour due vnto his name Rom. 2. 4. and 2. Cor. 7. 1. else thou shalt wish in vaine that thou hadst abated thy haughty stomacke and humbled thy selfe vnder the mighty hand of God obeyed his Ministers watched for this day but all too late 3. Looke what paine and penance thou wouldst then gladly vndergoe to obtaine saluation if in that dreadfull day it should bee granted thee and doe it now voluntarily assay labour and liue so now in such sort as thou wouldest wish then thou hadst liued in that thou need not heereafter take vp the fooles prouerbe I neuer thought of it else be sure the Iudge will ouer-turne all thy stuffe more throughly then Laban did Iacobs search all the corners of Ierusalem as with a cādle thou shalt be vnable to hide the least thought from him much lesse the originall as actual impieties abhominations of thy sinful life 4 Cōsider that as his promises be most free to all that in due time will accept therof so in that daywil he in iustice most seuerely punish the contemners therof 5. Marke here with me the superexcellent purity and diuine sincerity of Christian religion and the vpright integrity it requireth in euery man and with what exquisite precisenesse it exacteth the same purity in daily practise and therefore see that against the day of death and of iudgement thy croppe be answerable to thy seede sowne Galat. 6. 7. 8. Ier. 12. 13. and therefore setting now and for euer aside all prophanenesse and vnion or communion with the wicked and all wickednesse addresse thy selfe if thou wilt then escape this punishment to lead a pure sincere vpright life according to the contents of the fifteenth Psalme and to the purity and sole sincerity of the religion thou professest for thou now seest that the vngodly shall not stand in iudgement nor the sinners in the assembly of the righteous Psal. 1. 5. therefore approue now thy selfe a wise man striue for this heauenly prize and looke not backe to Sodom with Lots wife when thou mayest escape hell fire the difference betweene a wise man and a foole is a wise man wil foresee a mischiefe ere it come and auoid it but a foole will doe neyther Heere first wee may see what shall bee done vnto the men whom the King of Kings will honour they shall be preferred farre aboue the honour King Assuerus bestowed vpon Mordecai Ester 6. 9. and 8. 15. and 9. 4. for as in great Assises Noble men and men of worth are for honour sake made to sit on the bench with the chiefe Iudge so the Elect as standing below in a place too low for them are now called to sit vpon the seat of iudgement with the chiefe Iudge to iudge the wicked as Luke 22. 30. which passeth all the glory of this world by infinite degrees and yet such honour haue all his Saints and after thence goe to greater euen to life eternall the excellency whereof the wit of man in this life is vncapable and therefore as I haue no tongue to describe it no more haue ye eares to heare it onely let vs beleeue it and neuer cease to pray for it vntill wee come and enioy it and in the meane while seeing the Scriptures as of purpose be sparing in describing these celestiall ioyes I will not be copious in relating them but contain my selfe within my measure and labour to bee wise with sobriety which the Lord grant me to doe The second vse we are to make heereof is this that seeing the ioyes of the Elect and the glory of the Kingdom prepared for them is vnspeakeable glorious and blissefull It stands all men and women vpon to long for it and by all meanes whatsoeuer it cost them to labour to obtaine it and no longer to fixe their hearts vpon this life and world so decoitfull and transitory and if Cleombrotus an Heathen man reading but a booke of Plato concerning the immortality of the soule and the felicity thereof was so rauished with the desire of that estate that to enioy it speedily hee cast himselfe headlong into the Sea and yet Plato beeing a Pagan writ of that subiect but plain naturally blindly vncertainly but we haue a sure Word are taught heereof in Christs owne Schoole not blindely but plainely diuinely and most truly and that not by Plato but by the Iudge himselfe who will not deceiue nor be deceiued and yet are for all that still lumpish at the report hereof and as it were dead our hearts as is to be feared testifying vnto vs that we haue no part in that heauenly Country specially because wee be so desirous and eagre of this life as if soule and body liued and died together without hope of resurrection or eternall life else surely we would as that Marchant and Ieweller in the Gospell sell all to procure it not as Esau resigne our birth-right and all title to Heauen for a messe of redde broath or for a trifling pleasure or profit lose an inestimable good and what are the best things in this world but vanity and vexation of spirit and God forbid that we for such should lose an vnvaluable prize a wise Pilgrime will forbeare all delights that hinder his returne home and reserue all pleasure vntill he come to his owne country and so should wee poore pilgrimes in this strange country cast vp our eyes to heauen our country and iourneyes wished end and be much greeued when by the least meanes wee are out of our way thither and be sure euer to vse the things of this life as a Pilgrime doth his staffe who makes much of it while it furthers him in his way but if it trouble him he flings it away and questionlesse whosoeuer desireth earnestly and perswades himselfe of saluation will little
regard the ioyes of this sinfull troublesome world but still will call Come Lord Iesu. The third Vse should serue for a warning to the wicked who cannot abide in his heart any of Gods Elect if hee beare the name of a godly man nor yet of his Ministers if he be a strict reproouer of his sinnes but euer rideth and derideth them slanders reuiles and abuseth them with all indignities and ioyeth in nothing more then in spoyling beggering and persecuting them but one day they shall heare our Sauiour their Iudge name them the blessed of his Father call them cheerefully to him to iudge them Math. 19. 28. Luke 22. 30. and 1. Cor 9. 1. 2. and doe they not now make a faire hand to mis-â—all such as Christ calleth blessed that is intire and dearely beloued to him to his Father precious and glorious in his sight what welcome and entertainment doe they hope for this day when they stand before the Ministers they reuiled robbed and persecuted what fauour canst thou O bloudy persecutor and robber of Christ and his Ministers expect at their hands or with what face canst thou desire them speake a good word for thee that thou maist be receiued to heauenly Tabernacles but rather looke that they will aggrauate thy sinnes to the Iudge to reward thee as thou didst serue them and to execute iudgement mercilesse to thee that shewedst them no mercy loue nor kindenesse not so much as to a dogge Be wise then in time and make them thy friends that as Abraham for Abimâ—lech and Iob for his three friends they may now pray for thee and then giue testimony of thy reformed godly life else thou art like to finde as little fauour from them as the rich glutton found of Lazarus Luke 16. 25. 26. but aboue all humble thy soule in true faith and repentance and make now whilest thou heere liuest the chiefe Iudge himselfe thy friend and he will fully secure thee and if the chiefe Iudge take thy part all the bench will and whom the King fauours all the Court will doe so likewise And so farre of the tenth Motiue The eleuenth Motiue to watchfulnesse is to consider the manner of Christs proceeding in iudgement vpon the Elect and Reprobate which shall be by a true and iust triall of euery mans particular life heere ledde be it good or euill none shall complaine of partiality or want of due triall not indifferent â—earing for shall not the Iudge of all the world doe right Gen. 18. 25. Psal. 96. 13. yes Christs proceedings that day with all the world shall bee most righteous sincere and vpright for as at the barre of an earthly Iudge the prisoners are from the goale brought forth and presented before the Iudge and there the bookes are opened their causes examined and they according to the produced euidences acquitted or condemned so in that great day shall euery man without exception be brought before Gods tribunall to be tried according to their workes 2. Cor. 5. 10. Math. 25. 35. 42. because their outward works are plaine euidences of their hearts and inward graces or vices Now the manner of this manifestation is two-fold first their workes must be made known what they be secondly they must be prooued to be good or euill The reuealing of the workes is said in Dan. 7. 10. Reuel 20. 12. to bee by opening of the books not that God hath or needeth bookes to register all mens workes for this would imply that his memory were defectiue brittle and failing as mans and so were hee not a most wife perfect omniscient and an all knowing God in and of himselfe but it is so said in respect of the weakenesse of our capacity which otherwise cannot conceiue Gods mysteries but by earthly similitudâ— and comparisons as Isa. 28. 9. for we are very children in heauenly things tell a childe of the latter iudgement and the circumstances therof and he vnderstandeth nothing therof at all no more then if you tould him parables and why but because hee is a childe and this booke is to him as clasped or sealed as that in Reuel 5. 2. 3. so the naturall man perceiueth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnesse vnto him neyther can hee know them because they are spiritually discerned 1. Cor. 2. 14. Therefore the Lord in mercie humbleth himselfe lispeth and speaketh after the manner of men for as Iudges when they come to the bench and the prisoners are set before them then the bookes of their information euidences and inditements c. are opened and read before them whereupon a Iury is impanelled to determine whether the parties be guilty or not and then accordingly the Iudge giueth sentence so shall it be heere that albeit all things are open in his sight and hee euer knoweth all mens workes as if hee had written and read them out of a booke Psal. 139. 16. Ier. 23. 23. yet it is said that then the bookes shall bee opened These books be first the Word of God which is the ground and foundation of all for as the Law was deliuered at Sinai to be a rule for euery mans life and the Gospell a rule for faith so now must all bee iudged according to that booke So our Sauiour affirmeth in Iohn 12. 48. and 17. 20. The word that I haue spoken shall iudge him in the last day and saith Paul Rom. 2. 16. At the day when God shall iudge the secrets of men by Iesus Christ according to my Gospell The second booke is the booke of euery mans Conscience Rom. 2. 12. 14. 15. They shall shew the effect of the Law written in their hearts their Consciences also bearing them witnesse and their thoughts accusing one another or excusing for the Lord by his secrets and omnipotent power shall in that day so awake and touch euery mans conscience with the guilt of their sinnes which now is rocked in the cradle of security and sleepeth as a snorting dogge or as a clasped booke is shut vp that it dare not peepe nor mutter that they all shal be brought as fresh and perfect into their remembrance as they were the very day they were done with all the circumstances thereof that possibly they cannot bee denied 1. Cor. 4. 5. So that being left excuseless needs they must confesse them as men at the gallowes and holding vp their hands cry guilty as Gen. â— 13. Iob 20. 20. Math. 27. 4. Iohn 8. 7. 9. for their Consciences shal be as a thousand witnesses enforcing them to accuse iudge and vtterly condemne themselues before the Iudge doe iudge or condemn them which will be the cause that they shall not bee able as wicked as they be to finde any fault with the Iudges proceeding against them for they confounded at the sight of their sinnes will abhorre themselues and confesse they deserued all punishments as God will put vpon them and
him according to his former promise and couenant made with them in Mat. 19. 28. 29. Luk. 22. 30. and 1. Cor. 6 2. 3. not that they shal simply iudge the world for all iudgement is by God the Father committed vnto the Sonne Iohn 5. 22. but because they shal sit as assistants and witnesses and approouers of his iust iudgement against the wicked for it fareth heere with the Lord as vvith a Noble King when he commeth to sit in iudgement vpon a matter of importaÌ„ce hee being set vpon his Throne will call as assistants his next and best beloued kindred of the bloud royall and nobility to sit next him then the inferior Iudges and Iustices to iudge with him not that they manadge the businesse and giue iudgement as they vvill but because by their presence they witnesse approue the equity of the Iudges sentence and so shall it be here on that day This sentence shall first be pronounced vpon the Elect to absolue iustifie them and to call them to him to iudge together with him that is to witness approoue his proceedings against the wicked not only because hee is most inclined to mercy and slow to wrath but 1. First Because hee is to honor them with this dignity to iudge the world 2. For that this is the Elects long expected day of triumph ouer the wicked their afflicters persocutors therfore meete it is that before their eyes they should be aduanced to this glory according to Wis. 5. 1. 2. to their great sorrow 3. The Apostles Ministers and all Gods Saints are members of Christs mysticall body and therefore meet they should sit with him as a fulnesse of his perfection and glory the head and body conioyned together as one person 4. Christ this day will haue his aduersaries all stand and stoop before himselfe and his whole Church whom they sometimes abused and iudged wrongfully 5. They shall iudge the wicked by testifying against them for contemning their doctrine and examples of an holy life and so make the wicked excuselesse Math. 25. 26. Luke 11. 31. and such honour haue all his Saints Psal. 149. 9. farre aboue the honour done Mordecai by Assuerus Est. 6. 9. and 8. 15. and 10. 23. or by any King to his Subiects But heereâ—t may be demanded how the Elect then are iudged according to their workes as is said they shall be in Rom. 2. 6. and 2. Cor. 5. 10. and 11. 15. and 1. Pet. 1. 17. Reuel 2. 23. and 20. 12. 13. and 22. 12. when they themselues confesse acknowledge that they did no good workes Math. 25. 37. 38. 39. I answer Our Sauiour taketh better notice of the good workes of the faithfull then they doe themselues for they good men euer eyed their sinnes and the corruptions of their nature and heeded not their good workes according to Math. 6. 4. 5. but our Sauiour did and calleth them good workes Math. 25. 35. 36. 2. We see also the godly themselues when they be accused and traduced as workers of iniquity they to cleare themselues appeale to Gods iudgements Psa. 26. 1. c. and then can make large Catalogues of their good workes as Iob 29. and 30. and 31. and Dauid in many of his Psalmes and so many others and therfore did good workes to testifie of their iustifying faith 3. Admit they all did not good works but some were sinners yet God according to his Election imputed not their sinnes to them but forgaue them all and with the Ysope of Christs merits washed them in this life and world from all their sinnes as Psal. 32. 1. and 51. 2. c. and 1. Cor. 1. 30. 31. and 6. 9. Heb. 9. 13. Reuel 7. 9. 14. and being in his couenant and thus purified and washed they shall this day appeare as cleane as if they had neuer beene defiled with any staine of sinne and so are wee saued by Christs merits as Iacob was blessed in Esaus apparell 4. They were elected before all worlds to saluation and to the meanes thereof and they by their holy life and innocent conuersation serued Gods Election and so their names being in the booke of life could not be blotted out nor they misse of saluation 5. Heauen was their inheritance and so nothing except fellony or treason can defeat a man of his inheritance nor that neyther if the King doe pardon it and all other his offences and transgressions and so did Christ heere as Psal. 103. 1. 2 3. c. 6. They euer beleeue faithfully in Christ and so were iustified by faith and Christ tooke away and bore in his owne body the curse due for their sinnes Rom. 5. 1. c. and 8. 1 c. Galat. 3. 13. and so cannot iustly be condemned this day And therefore Christ will vse no partiality but doe true and strict Iustice in absoluing and receiuing the godly to mercy according to his gratious couenant Let the wicked repent and doe the like and they shall with all loue and fauour receiue the like sentence and bee aduanced to the like honour and glory then and euer after But if you obiect that this is contrary to the proceeding in all Courts terrene to haue a mans enemies to be his Iudge as the Ministers be to their persecutors may they not except against them as selons vse here on earth no for this is iust that as vpon earth the iudged the Saints to death spoyled iniured reuiled and vniustly persecuted them that they this day should doe them the like measure for measure by the Law of retallion Exod. 21. 24. Iudg. 1. 7. and 1. Sam. 15. 33. Luke 19. 25. but if thou wilt escape this Iiry abuse them not loue and do them all good and aboue all procure the fauour of Christ the chiefe Iudge then all the Court of Heauen will intreat them kindely The second part of Christs defintiue sentence shall bee directly against the Reprobate and is already registred in Math. 25. vers 41. Depart from me ye cursed into the euerlasting fire c. The reason is set downe in verse 42. for I was an hungred and ye gaue me no meat c. and the same sentence is ratified in vers 45. In as much as ye did it not to one of the least c. And this is the sentence of condemnation because our Sauior condemneth them to hell fire for that they in their life time heere would not repent of their sinnes originall nor actuall but daily more and more prouoked the Lord to wrath with their inuentions neyther would they conuert and turne vnto the Lord take him for their God nor belieue in his name nor by any meanes be perswaded to walke before the Lord in new obedience and therefore refusing God and his word and couenant and being ashamed of him before men hee now refuseth them and is ashamed of them before his Father his Angels and Saints and cuts them from
hast so closely couered vvithin the secret and darke corners of thy heart and habitation which thou deemest should neuer come to light are now before God and all the world detected so that both God and Man Angells and Saints thy Conscience and all creatures shall ho wt thee abhorre and in disdainfull and scornefull manner pointing at thee say Behold the man his works How shalt thou then at this clamor no more then a theefe or a traitor hold vp thy head shew thy face be able to stand in iudgement or hope for release or any fauour from thy persecuted Iudge or his Ministers thy ancient enemies when as thou diddest to Gods people they hate loath abhorre and spit at thee and all thine abhominations yea laugh at thy destruction saying Depart from vs thou cursed into euerlasting fire Be wise then in time watch and pray repent and lead a new life and thou shalt escape all these out-cryes and be numbred among the sonnes of God The second point to bee obserued in the manner of Christs proceeding in iudgement is when the workes be thus manifested they must further bee conuinced to be euill or good and so to deserue hell or by Christs mercy heauen and that triall must be done after this manner First such as liue out of the Church and neuer heard of Christ neither was his word preached among them they must be iudged by the Law of Nature Rom. 2. 12. 14. 15. and the couenant of workes and testimony of their conscience together with the booke of Gods workes Rom. 1. 18. to 26. and secondly such as liue in the Church by the Law of Nature and the Law written and the Gospell as also by the booke of their Conscience and the booke of Gods works Iohn 5. 45. and 12 48. for the sentence of the Iudge shall be nothing else but a manifestation declaratory and ratified execution of the sentence formerly pronounced by the Preachers out of the Word and lightened by nature The Vse is for admonition to the ignorant to submit themselues to the meanes ordained for their saluation and neuer to forget that Christ will come with his mighty Angells in flaming fire rendring vengeance vnto them that doe not know God and which obay not the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ 2. Thes. 1. 8. and therfore not with the wicked to degenerate from men to goates and beastlinesse Isa. 13. 21. but rather of men to labor by vsing all godly meanes of men to become sheepe and the Saints of God by regeneration Isa. 11. 6. c. and beware wee to sell for gold or siluer that which was not redeemed with gold nor siluer but it cost more to redeeme their soules Psal. 49. 7. so that the whole world cannot ransome mans soule Math. 16. 26. and therfore more then madde are they that will forfeit so precious a iewell to Satan damnation for the loue of any trifling pleasure or profit whatsoeuer And so farre of the eleuenth Motiue The twelfth Motiue to Watchfulnes is the vpright denouncing of Christs definitiue sentence vpon all the world which is indeed the very doome iudgement it selfe All that hitherto hath been spoken is but preparation to this period and this Iudgement is necessary to bee known of vs because it maketh much for the well ordering of our liues and preparing for the same in serious watchfulnesse and prayer for if it be better to goe to the house of mourning then to the house of feasting because this is the end of all men and the liuing shall lay it to his heart and againe the heart of the wise is in the house of mourning but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth Eccles. 7. 4. 6. whatsoeuer thou doest remember the end and thoâ— shalt neuer do amisse Ecclus. 7. 36. Then verily the consideration of Gods mighty and terrible iudgement should much more moue our hearts to due preparation for this day which is more fearefull by infinite degrees then death and whereas men now liue without regard of God and godlinesse as if there were neyther God heauen death hell nor iudgment but mans end as the end of a beast and therefore care not what mischiefe they doe so they may escape the Magistrates sword and as for the day of iudgement they scoffe at it as 2. Pet. 3. 3. 4. Iude 18. Ezech. 12. 22. out yet in this day the truth of the Ministers predictions and threats will appeare true according to Acts 17. 31. and then shall they see feele to their cost that which formerly they would not beleeue though it was told them and was an article of the faith Now this sentence is twofold according to the two diuers sorts of people who are to be this day iudged that is of the Elect vpon the right hand Reprobate vpon the left but first hee will deale with the Elect for in this case it shall fare with the world as if an earthly King should sit in iudgement to arraigne a number attainted of high treason yet so that before he commeth to sit in iudgement he knoweth by their former priuate examinations confessions and euidences who be guilty who not so that vvhen the prisoners be presented before him hee forth-with causeth the guiltlesse Earles and Lords to be vnbolted arraied in cleane apparell and stand apart or come vp vnto him and sit vpon the bench and then declaring before all the assembly their innocency wrongs acquitteth them with all fauour and honour and as his truest and trustiest subiects causeth them as ioyned in commission with him to iudge and testifie what they can informe against those ranke traitors so heare when the Lord sitteth vpon the throne of his glory and separateth the sheepe from the goates he foreknowing by their former liues ledde vpon earth the innocency of the Eiect will in the sight of all the world iustifie absolue and acquit them from all guilt and punishment saying vnto them first ofal Come ye blessed of my Father inherit ye the kingdome prepared for you from the foundations of the world c. Math. 25. 34. and withall declareth vnto them the reason of this high prerogatiue preferment for I was an hungred and ye gaue me meat c. vers 35. 36. against which reason when they good men answere ac-acknowledging in al humility that they remembred not any good they miserable sinners did to him but all came of his mercy and merits he replieth that what they did to the meanest of his poore brethren they did it to him and therefore meet it was that hee in royall bountifulnesse should remember acknowledge and highly reward them answerable to the loue he bare to his distressed and afflicted brethren whom he loued better then himselfe so rewards them now as himselfe receiuing them to his owne inheritance and glory But first causeth them to sit vpon thrones to iudge the wicked with
owne destruction And mans happinesse consisteth in 3 things 1. The Temple the statliest building in all the world Read Iosephus The wonderfull care that Christ hath ouer his The cause of the destructioÌ„ of the temple Note No power can withstand when the Lord comes with power to destroy Vse A good obseruation for worldlings Doct. 1. We should not set our hearts on worldly things Eccles. 1. 2. 12. 13. 14 1. Ioh. 〈◊〉 15 16. 17. Vse 1. The world Vse 2. Riches Dainty fare Luk 16. 25 Buildings no outward priuiledges can free the wâ—eked 〈◊〉 Gods wrath Apparell the figue of mans shame Note Apparell The bodies of the wiâ—â—d are fuell for hell Iam. 2. 19. Remember the day of iudgment the diuels tremble feare A simily Heb. 11. 10. Mat. 17. 4. Vse 3. Ierem. 45. 3. c. Why we were sent to the world Application § 4. 2. Parte This distribution of this Text. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. The subdiuision Three watches 1 2 3 What is it to watch Of watching in generall The necessity of watching Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit â—tite 〈◊〉 Doct. 〈◊〉 Which teacheth it is most necessarie to watch Proofes of the doctrine by Scripture and by reasons § 6. Vse 1. For admonition to all men The sense of this word watch Doct. 3. against carnall security Proofes by Scripture What sobriety is Exhortation Vse 1. To bee watchfull Psal. 30. 6. Luk. 18. 8. Vse 2. For comfort for such as watch Part. 1. Of watching in speciall Doct. 4. To watch for the leading of a godly life in this world Proofes by Scripture By reasons 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Vse 1. Is to declare how weare to watch When we are to watch We must watch ouer our selues Cant. 5. 2. Iob 9. 28. We must watch ouer 〈◊〉 family 1. As fâ—st ouer his wife 2. Ouer his children A good president for all parents to traine vp their children in the feare of God Prou. 25. 1. Similiâ—â— Example of Origent training vp of a childe Euseb. lib. 6. cap. 2. Ruffinus l. 2. cap. 5. Vse 2. To nurture their children in the feare of God 2. Reasons Satans spite to little children * Anâ—â—logia Papa pag. 779. Act Mon pag. 125. 14. The institution of a child from his cradle 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Ouer his seruants Vse 3. For Preaching Ministers A simile Vse 4. For vnpreaching watchmen Ioh. 24. 15 16 17. Vse 5. For robbers of the watchmen Gen. 4. 10. 11. and 9. 5. 6. Preachers and writers against sacrilege * Samuel Gardiner against sacriledge Obiect Contra 〈…〉 liud A dilemma 2. Cor. 3. 7. 8. Heb. 12. 22. and 10. 28. 29. Abbey lands due to the Ministers Reasons Prouiding it Obiect Math. 5. 19 De simplie Plator A prouerbe Mel in orâ— verba lactis fel in corde fraus in pactis cauek A subtill and false teacher Men wil be demned rather then forsake any one sweete sinne Epist. 54. ad Maccd 〈…〉 um Obiect Leuit. 10. Obiect 2. Sam. 17. 7. A remedie against sa 〈…〉 ledge Sect. 12. Helpe to watch The first helpe to walke in a generall calling Reasons 1. The second helpe to walke in a speciall calling A diâ—y for Christian watchfulnesse In both callings 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4. 4. 5. 6. 7. 3. 4. 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. Pet. 5. 9. 1. Sam. 17. 36. 45. 1. Sam. 11. 5 6. 5. 6. 7. 8. The fourth helpe To make mutuall coniuncton betweene pastour and flocke Satans subtiltie that preaching shall do the people no good Ionah 1. Ier. 9. 1. 2. Sam. 15. 6. Ioh. 16. 2. The fift helpe All things helpe vs to watch Gen. 39. Gregorius Nazianzeus Orat. in Cyprianum Exod. 20. 14. Heb. 13. 4. Sect. 13. The second part of Death Transitio Orpheus in 〈◊〉 Iob. 40. 41. Doct. 5. To prepare for Death Proofes by Scripture Reasons 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Sect. 15. Vse 1. 1 Obseruations for preparatioÌ„ to die well 2. 4. Duties 1. 2. 6. 7. The particular watch for death 1 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1. 2. 8. 1. 2. A Diarâ— oâ— Weâ—keâ—worke for prepaâ—â—tioÌ„ to die 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6 7. Acts 1◠〈◊〉 Vse 〈◊〉 To put vs in mind of Death A good example The commodities of thinking vpon our death Hannibal adportas Vse 3. Not to fear Death Plato in Apol Socrat. Cicero Tuscul quest lib. 1. Nazianzens saying of the ioyes of heauen Epaminondas his saying Ignatius Vse 4. Of terror Obiect Goe to the house of mourning Eccles. 12. 2 to 8. Vse 〈◊〉 To pul out the stings of Death 2. Sam. 19. 18. The benefits by Death Hâ—â—esias hâ—s excellent exam 〈◊〉 for Christians to follow Obiect Answ. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Vse 6. For thankfulnesse in deliuering vs from the second Death Sect. 16. The third part The sense Sect. 17. Doct. 6. Prepare for Christs comming The necessity of his doctrine Nâ—te Satans policy to hinder the said 〈◊〉 full Ier. 34. 16 2. Pet. 2. 22. Proofes Reasons 1 2. 3. 4. Sect. 18. Vse 1. To confute Atheists Tremel Vse 2. Is to vse motiue for instruction to the Saints Sect. 19. The first Motiue froÌ„ the names of that day The secoÌ„d Motiue 〈◊〉 the signes of his comming Vse Similie The third Motiue 〈◊〉 the vncertainty of the day A Similie A Similie Similies of Christs â—econd comming to iudgement Obiect The fourth Motiue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the manner of the reâ—urrection Vse Gen. 41. 14 The fifth Motiue 〈…〉 oÌ„ the generality of thiâ— iudgement See Euseb. Eccles hâ—st lib. 5. c. 1. Reu 14. 13. Obiect Obiect A Petition for no day of iudgement Answere to the worlds pention Similie A great dâ—fference between the Elect and Reprobate Numb 24. Means that there shall be no day of iudgement Similie A Similie A Similie Vse Psal. 27. 11 Isa. 49. 15. A ioyfull day to the Elect. We shal see and know one another at the resurrect 〈◊〉 The Reasons 1 2. Vse 2. The sixt Motiue froÌ„ the manner of his coâ—ming to iudgement The Vse The seuenth Motiue The place where the Iudgement shall be Mira narrant 〈◊〉 Aquila historiâ—â— Aristotel de histor animal lib 9 cap 32. Aâ—â—anus de animal hâ—st lib. 1. c 44. Plini lib. 10 cap. 13. Gualter in Math. 24. â—om 279. in Luc. 17 37. hoâ—il 165. 1. Thes. 4. 17. Vse 1. To be readily prepared to meet the Lord auoid security Plurima pessima presiosa non vniuersa Vse 〈◊〉 For terror to coÌ„mers vnprepared No help any where for the wicked Two signes for 〈…〉 g Christs comâ—ing Similie Similie The world shall be fired Mat. 24. 30 Vse to watch against this fire Dan. 3. 19. The ninth Motiue Christs sitting in iudgement vpon the throne of his glory Salomons Throne coÌ„pared with Christs whereof it was a figure Pet. Martyr Mar. â—orchaus in 1. Kin. 10. 18. Gen. 28. 12 13. The ReasoÌ„s why Christ is said to sit vpon the Throne Ioâ— 1. 51. Mors â—hristi suff 〈…〉 sed â—os efficiens omnibus The whole Trinity iudgeth Vse The figure of this Throne opened Caluin Hugo Card. Quintus Pererius Lyra. Glossa inter Polanus Eâ—â—olampadius â—ugo Polaâ— Iunius The Vse for terror The â—enth Motiue Of Christs separating the Elect from the Reprobate Iohn 8. 9. Esa. 65. Wisd. 5. Vse To repent in time Remedies to escape Hell Vse 1. Vse 2. Cicero lib. 1. Tusc. qu. Thom Moor. in Vâ—opia Math. 13. 4â— 45. G 〈…〉 25. 33 Reuel 22. Vse 3. Is for warning to the wicked Mat. 25. 34 Gen. 20. 7. 17. Iob 42. 8. 9. The 11. Motiue The 〈◊〉 â—ner of Christs proceeding in iudgement The manner two-fold What meant by opening the booke What and how many bookes be opened 1. The booke of Gods word 2. The booke of conscience The book of Life and Election The booke of Gods workes The 1. vse of these 4. bookes The vse for Gods word Vse 2. â—or Conscience Tenera res conscientia quae â—ec tangi nec angi potest To Vse for Gods election Vse 4. For Gods workes The secoÌ„d Vse for terror Their worksmust tried to be good or euill Vse for admonition to the ignorant The 12. Motiue The denouÌ„ cing of the definitiue sentence The necessity to know Christs iudgement vpon the wicked Heâ—viuunt bomines taÌ„quam â—ors nulla futura est aut velut inferaus fabula vanaforet Mors tuâ— mors Christi fraus muÌ„di gloria coeli dolor inferni sunt medi 〈…〉 da tibi finis ciâ—â—s coelum â—on solum The first part of the sentence vpon the Elect. Similie The Reasons why the Elect sit to iudge the wicked Obiect Or question how the Elect are iudged according to their works Vse Object The secoÌ„d part of the sentence vpon the Reprobate Mat. 10. 33 Vse Luk. 4. 29. Act. 21. 28. Psalm 2. Note this ye hypocrites Note here O you that forget God Vse Thom. Aqu. The benefits by doing good workes Pauper via et pâ—â—ta coeli Vse 1. 1 Chro. 29 9. â—0 20. Vse 2. For terror to the wicked Psal. 105. 18. Deut. 23. 17. 18. Ranulphus worthy example The 13. Motiue The â—â—â—cution of the sentence vpon the Reprobate The priuâ—â—iâ—e paiâ—â— Similies What this priuatiue punishment iâ— The paines of losâ—e The vse to consider what losse it is to be separated from God A Similie Theodoret. l. 5. c. 16 17. Sozom. lib. 7. cap. 24. Tripart l. 9. cap. 30. Niceph. l 12 cap. 41. Vse 2. Chro. 15. The posiâ—â—ue pains These pains aâ— twofold outward inward The names of Hell 1. Letâ—â— 2. Piegeton 3. Atheron 4. Coâ—itus 5. Stygia palus 6. Elâ—ades 7. Sopâ—â—s 8. Tartarus 9. Orcus 10 Plutoâ—iâ—â— 11 Auernus 12 Abyssus 13 Infe 〈…〉 A Caution The nature of hell The inward positiue paines Vse 1 Reaâ—ons prouing it necessary to know that 〈…〉 re is an hell Vse 2. There is an hell Vse 3. ExhortatioÌ„ to the Ministers to warne the people hereof Obiect Reasons why sinners torments be so great in hell Heb. 10. 29 Reuel 9. 9. Vse 4. The secoÌ„d part of the coÌ„tinuance of the torments vpon the reprobates Reasons why reprobâ—tes be punished eternally Obiect Vse 1 The execution of the senteÌ„ce vpon the Elect. Reasons why I speak sparingly of heauenly ioyes Vse 〈◊〉 Vse 2. Vse 3. Of the ioyes of heauen Sect. 20. The Conclusion Mat. 26. 40 A prayer